Prognostic value of the epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) in the case of Hodgkin's disease.

The study deals with the results obtained from 155 lymph node biopsies of patients suffering from Hodgkin's disease (HD) who were treated by MOPP and radiotherapy in the same establishment. The specimens in paraffin have been examined for the presence of antigens using several monoclonal antibodies, particularly epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). There exists no correlation between the immunophenotypes towards EMA and histological types. Thirty-three patients whose responses were EMA (+) have the assurance survival more than 10 years on the level 32.4% while those 122 patients with EMA(-) had the same survival on 90% level (p less than 0.001). Thus a new prognostic tool has been found which enables to detect the likely therapeutic failures in the case of Hodgkin's disease.